tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-124368242020-06-02T04:38:07.283-04:00Generation Ex Filesweb home of author Jen Abbas de JongJen @ de Jong Dream Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07734952011251720255noreply@blogger.comBlogger342125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12436824.post-3807620515382352422010-08-30T13:56:00.001-04:002010-08-30T13:57:54.994-04:00Book Review: Reason to BelieveRyan from Reason to Believe posted this review of Generation Ex:I live in the United States where the divorce rate hovers between 50 and 60 percent. Tragically the rate of divorce for those who claim the name of Jesus is the same as those whom do not.Another way to look at it is like this; as summer rolls around and the wedding season gears up, you may be invited to several weddings. At each and Jen @ de Jong Dream Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07734952011251720255noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12436824.post-76538970622843663432010-08-30T13:34:00.002-04:002010-08-30T13:41:05.248-04:00Book Review: Families.com (Valerie Nelson)I really appreciate this review from Valerie Nelson of Families.com. When I was writing Generation Ex, I did so with some trepidation about what divorced parents would think--especially my own! At the same time, I wanted to be an advocate for all the other children of divorce who weren't able to express their own feelings. I realized that what I would say would be difficult for parents to hear, Jen @ de Jong Dream Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07734952011251720255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12436824.post-87006177909031784952010-08-30T13:29:00.002-04:002010-08-30T13:32:45.521-04:00Rethinking RemarriageEvery so often I find an article that quotes my book or an interview I've given. In the article below, Lynn Barton wonders if it is right for Christians with small children to remarry; she writes from experienceOne Sunday as I was staffing my church’s book table, a divorced mom asked me if we had any books for someone like her. She said she had been unable to find any that applied to her Jen @ de Jong Dream Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07734952011251720255noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12436824.post-31134898340963122722010-08-29T09:12:00.002-04:002010-08-29T09:18:25.124-04:00A Reader Asks...Should I Stay in College?Hi Jen,I am wondering if I can get your take on a simple yet very important question I have. I am a college student in the wake of my parents divorce and I am having great difficulty forgiving them and avoiding resentment and anger towards my mother especially. Do you think it would be wise for me to take a year off from university to work on all of this and work to have a relationship with my Jen @ de Jong Dream Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07734952011251720255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12436824.post-4294260906653585752009-04-20T10:58:00.000-04:002009-04-21T10:59:15.058-04:00Generation Ex is Five Years OldMy book, Generation Ex: Adult Children of Divorce and the Healing of Our Pain, released five years ago today. It's hard to believe that so much time has passed already, but when I think of all that has happened in that time, I'm amazed it's been that long!I wrote Generation Ex as a single career woman, living in Grand Rapids, Michigan in a townhouse with my dog. At the time, I wondered if I'd Jen @ de Jong Dream Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07734952011251720255noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12436824.post-1187569244423644452009-03-04T11:59:00.003-05:002009-03-04T12:12:55.582-05:00How About the HeartOkay, I admit it. I watch The Bachelor. In fact, I've even dragged my husband into it. For the past few weeks, we talked about how much we liked this season because the women (especially the ones at the end) were likable and gracious. And of course, whenever there's someone from my old stomping grounds of Grand Rapids, we like to cheer the hometown girl. Coincidentally, this season's finale linedJen @ de Jong Dream Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07734952011251720255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12436824.post-37503432558989418992009-01-01T11:21:00.001-05:002009-01-01T11:21:38.065-05:00Every Other WeekendReba McEntire More CMT Music More CMT Music VideosJen @ de Jong Dream Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07734952011251720255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12436824.post-44371257921664077292008-10-27T11:34:00.003-04:002008-10-27T11:38:24.571-04:00Divorce Movies in the WorksBuzz Sugar reports: A.C.O.D. (Adult Children of Divorce)This is the title of a comedy that Miramax just picked up from Daily Show head writer Ben Karlin (more success for Daily Show peeps!) and Six Degrees co-creator Stu Zicherman's. The story follows a man who "discovers he was unknowingly part of a study on divorced children. He's enlisted in a follow-up years later that wreaks new havoc on hisJen @ de Jong Dream Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07734952011251720255noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12436824.post-53021963295216047372008-10-13T11:31:00.003-04:002008-10-13T11:34:12.418-04:00ArticleIt's been quite a while since I've posted. There's been quite a few complications with this pregnancy that have taken up my time and attention lately. For personal updates, check our our family blog.In the meantime, here's a pretty thorough overview of life as a child of divorce from a writer Down Under.Jen @ de Jong Dream Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07734952011251720255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12436824.post-78271552018500615622008-05-18T00:40:00.003-04:002008-05-18T00:43:32.787-04:00KTIS interviewMorning sickness has hit full steam in the de Jong household so I've been laying low lately. However, on Monday, May 12, I was a guest on Kim Ketola's "Along the Way" program on KTIS.Click here to listen to the program. If you listen carefully, you can hear me trying not to be sick on the air!Jen @ de Jong Dream Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07734952011251720255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12436824.post-23070324754623257342008-05-01T17:04:00.002-04:002008-05-01T17:07:01.743-04:00A new projectThey say that writing a book is like giving birth. So, since I wrote a book, we decided it's time to work on a new project. Baby DJ is expected to arrive December 16!Jen @ de Jong Dream Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07734952011251720255noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12436824.post-22774314386397487272008-02-11T09:12:00.000-05:002008-02-11T09:18:16.815-05:00CODs on TV: PsychThank to the wonder that is Google Alerts, I came across this insightful post today. She does a great job outlining some of the common challenges of being an adult child of divorce, especially when our parents are dating.Jen @ de Jong Dream Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07734952011251720255noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12436824.post-29999305716985394632008-02-04T10:34:00.000-05:002008-02-04T10:37:31.545-05:00Bad News for Baby BoomersChildren of divorce face deaths of multiple parentsResponsibility for aged stepparent undefinedBy Elizabeth MarquardtThe Washington PostFebruary 02. 2008 12:15AMI had dinner with a friend whose mother had recently remarried, to a man who had never had children. Though happy for her mother, my friend was also bothered: If her mother were to die before the new husband, she wondered, would she Jen @ de Jong Dream Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07734952011251720255noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12436824.post-75617721461644073442007-12-25T18:17:00.000-05:002007-12-25T18:18:57.320-05:00Two BabiesFor the last several months, Niels and I have had two things on our mind: getting pregnant and celebrating Christmas with Dutch Dad and Mom. Two babies. Our baby and the Christ child.Niels and I know that good things come to those who wait. In fact, Niels' wedding band is engraved with the words, "worth the wait." Almost five months into our marriage, I am certain that Niels was worth every Jen @ de Jong Dream Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07734952011251720255noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12436824.post-930390765137013692007-12-18T22:45:00.000-05:002007-12-19T09:55:14.967-05:00My First Dutch Poem!In my ongoing effort to learn my dear husband's native tongue, tonight we translated the poem from the beginning of my book into Dutch. So for my new Dutch family, this is for you:- de uitbarsting-scheidingis als een sterke aardbevingde wereld schudgevoed door woedeen alle boosheidschulden frustratieszo lang broedendonder de oppervlaktespuit dan plotseling omhoogin een inferno van haatof Jen @ de Jong Dream Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07734952011251720255noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12436824.post-1130863166789072862007-12-17T23:00:00.000-05:002007-12-18T13:43:20.810-05:00Soundtrack for Children of DivorceIf children of divorce had a soundtrack, these would be our songs.updated 12/17/07"25 Years" from the album Throws Like a Girl by Vroom"Because of You" from the album Breakaway by Kelly Clarkson (VIDEO)"Blurry" from the album Come Clean by Puddle of Mudd (VIDEO)"Broken Home" from the album Geek Love by Fan_3"Broken Home" from the album Infest by Papa Roach (VIDEO)"Breathing" from the album, No Jen @ de Jong Dream Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07734952011251720255noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12436824.post-75067039619996062542007-12-17T14:14:00.000-05:002007-12-17T14:23:21.150-05:00First Quote with my New NameThanks to my former publicist, I'm on the rolodex at Life & Style magazine. So I wasn't overly surprised when they called me once again to weigh in on the latest celebrity divorce crisis.This week's issue includes an article on Britney Spears' rumored hope for a reconcilation with her ex, Kevin Federline.My quote is in a full page call out with the headline: Would Getting Back with Kevin Help Jen @ de Jong Dream Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07734952011251720255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12436824.post-31694754375076464822007-12-17T13:34:00.000-05:002007-12-17T13:46:31.729-05:00new songs for the COD soundtrack: Brother Ali's "Faheem"As part of the "Big Clean" to get ready for Dutch Dad and Mom's visit, I'm spending the day catching up on the stack of magazines we've neglected that last few months. An article on Brother Ali in Rolling Stone led me to a new addition to the child of divorce soundtrack.I can't recommend the overall album because the parental advisory sticker is well warranted; however, the lyrics to this song Jen @ de Jong Dream Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07734952011251720255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12436824.post-1386517634945017802007-12-14T13:02:00.000-05:002007-12-14T13:06:25.130-05:00Go Green. Stay Married. Mother Nature feels the pains of divorce By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID,AP Science WriterTue Dec 4, 6:48 PM ETWASHINGTON - Divorce can be bad for the environment. In countries around the world divorce rates have been rising, and each time a family dissolves the result is two new households."A married household actually uses resources more efficiently than a divorced household," said Jianguo Liu, an Jen @ de Jong Dream Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07734952011251720255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12436824.post-18761837815368297272007-12-13T09:29:00.000-05:002008-01-13T13:14:13.513-05:00Separation Success StoriesWhen couples are having trouble, one often overlooked option is "controlled separation," that is, separation as a sort of time out on the marriage, with a goal of working through the issues and eventually reconciling. Controlled separation is not the same as "checking out the single waters." Unfortunately, many times separation is seen as the first step in divorce. It seems rather obvious that ifJen @ de Jong Dream Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07734952011251720255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12436824.post-47629016455278244942007-12-11T12:59:00.000-05:002007-12-11T13:11:42.774-05:00Back from BetrayalI had an interesting call yesterday from Life & Style magazine. They've called a few times before for comments on celebrity splits. The topic of yesterday's conversation was a possible reconciliation between Britney Spears and her ex-husband, Kevin Federline.As part of our conversation, we talked about controlled separation and couples who have made their marriages work after separation or Jen @ de Jong Dream Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07734952011251720255noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12436824.post-50638532540602759692007-12-02T18:15:00.000-05:002007-12-03T13:32:09.366-05:00Hoping for a little help from our GR friends Greetings from Ohio,I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. Niels and I hit our four month anniversary and are loving married life. With one exception. All we want for Christmas (or New Years, or the spring, or soon) is to sell my condo. We're very grateful to have gone from three mortgages to two, but we both vaguely remember having one house payment and would like to experience those days Jen @ de Jong Dream Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07734952011251720255noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12436824.post-34211082615712448292007-11-17T20:53:00.000-05:002007-11-17T20:54:52.649-05:00Just for FunI found this on another blog, and it seemed like fun. I look forward to hearing from you!If you read thisIf your eyes are passing over this right nowEven if we don't speak too oftenPlease post a comment with a memory of you and meIt can be anything you wantGood or BadWhen finished, post this little paragraph on your blogAnd be surprised by what people remember about you.Jen @ de Jong Dream Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07734952011251720255noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12436824.post-81562318585087220172007-11-12T18:51:00.000-05:002007-11-17T21:01:21.381-05:00Just OursNiels and I just returned from one of our favorite places, the VV B&B in Grand Rapids, MI. We had planned to visit my old stomping grounds a few weeks ago, but attending a shower for one baby and the dedication of another was a little too much for me in the days following our miscarriage. So we rescheduled our fix for this weekend.One of the things I miss about GR is the local radio station. On Jen @ de Jong Dream Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07734952011251720255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12436824.post-40950123583419011222007-11-07T17:58:00.000-05:002007-11-07T18:19:36.512-05:00Postcards from SplitsvilleThanks to the networking miracle that is MySpace, I learned of a new project for children of divorce, Postcards from Splitsville. They're just getting started, but I encourage you to check it out, and make a postcard of your own.Inspired by Frank Warren’s PostSecret website, Kara Bishop, author of Divorce Doesn't Mean Losing Your Mom/Dad, created a website where children can share their Jen @ de Jong Dream Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07734952011251720255noreply@blogger.com1